Private (Guest) Visa to Russia — Visiting Relatives and Friends

A private (guest) visa is issued to foreign citizens who wish to visit relatives or friends in Russia. It allows stays of up to 90 days.

Key requirement: a private invitation issued by a Russian citizen through the local migration office (MVD). Processing takes 30–45 days.

The inviting person must: be a Russian citizen or permanent resident, visit the local MVD office in person, provide their passport and the guest's passport details.

Required documents for the visa application: passport, completed form, photo, private invitation, travel insurance, proof of relationship (if visiting family).

Processing time at the consulate: 4–20 business days. Consular fee varies by nationality ($50–160 for most countries).

Alternative: if you don't want to wait 30–45 days for a private invitation, consider a tourist visa (invitation in 5 minutes) or business visa for longer stays.